The Orthodox Kibbutzim and Economic Success

Abstract

The 1980s economic crisis within the Israeli kibbutz movement has spotlighted the outstanding economic performance of one element therein: the Religious Kibbutz Federation (RKF). This note compares the performance of the RKF with that of the secular kibbutzim between 1958 and 1982. The findings substantiate the theoretical perspectives of Max Weber and Werner Sombart regarding Judaism and economic success.